Species

Justification
This recently split species is very poorly known. There are very few, if any, recent records, and its tolerance of habitat degradation is not known. For these regions it is classified as Data Deficient. Although it is probably more common than currently thought, it is likely to be worthy of threatened status, and requires urgent research.

Taxonomic note
Micromacronus leytensis (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into M. leytensis and M. sordidus following Collar (2006).

Identification
Identification. Small in size with elongated, erectile feathers on back and sides. Sexes similar. Bill dark horn, lower mandible lighter. Eyes red; legs greenish-grey; toes straw yellow. Similar species. May be confused with Lovely Sunbird which has a longer, slightly decurved bill and lacks long erectile feathers. At higher altitudes overlaps with Mountain Leaf Warbler which is larger and lacks erectile feathers. Voice. not recorded.

Distribution and population
Micromacronus leytensis is endemic to the Philippines, where it occurs only on Samar, Biliran and Leyte in the Eastern Visayas. It was previously considered conspecific with the Mindanao Miniature-babbler M. sordidus, and like that species it is tiny and unobtrusive and therefore may be more common than currently thought. However, there are no recent records.

Trend justification
The population is suspected to be in decline owing to on-going habitat destruction and fragmentation.

Ecology
It occurs in the undergrowth and canopy of montane broadleaf evergreen forest and forest edge; the only published elevation is 500 m. It has been recorded in small, active, noisy groups; often associating with other species.

Threats
It is probably threatened by logging and clearance of forest for agriculture. Its tolerance to forest degradation is not known.

Conservation actions underway
None is known.

Conservation actions proposed
Carry out searches to rediscover a population of the species. Determine its tolerance of logged and degraded forest. Effectively protect forest at key sites.

References
Collar, N. J.; Robson, C. 2007. Family Timaliidae (Babblers). In: del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Christie, D. A. (ed.), Handbook of birds of the world, vol. 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees, pp. 70-291. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.

Further web sources of information
Detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001).

Detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001).

View photos and videos, and hear sounds of this species from the Internet Bird Collection

Text account compilers
Mahood, S., Taylor, J.

IUCN Red List evaluators
Butchart, S., Symes, A.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Micromacronus leytensis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013.

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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